Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application

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Applying for a faster decision

You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa or settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) application.

Using the ‘priority service’ means you’ll usually get a decision within 5 working days, or 30 working days for Family visa applications from outside the UK.

Using the ‘super priority service’ for visa and settlement applications means you’ll usually get a decision by the end of the next working day.

It can take longer to get a decision, for example, if the Home Office needs to ask you for more information or check your details with other government departments. You’ll be told if this is the case.

If the decision takes longer, you will not usually get your money back. Find out about getting a refund of your priority service fee.

If you’re in the UK:

Using the priority service

If you’re eligible you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. You’ll need to pay £500 in addition to the application fee.

Using the ‘priority service’ means you’ll usually get a decision within 5 working days.

Using the priority service usually takes up to 30 working days for Family visa applications from outside the UK if you’re applying as a:

  • partner or spouse
  • parent
  • child
  • adult coming to be cared for by a relative

The time starts from either:

  • the day of your appointment, if you prove your identity in person
  • the working day after you finished uploading your documents, if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

It can take longer, for example, if the Home Office needs to ask you for more information.

You’ll be told whether you can prove your identity in person or using the app when you apply.

Using the super priority service

If you’re eligible you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. You’ll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the application fee.

How quickly you get a decision depends on when you prove your identity.

If you prove your identity in person

You’ll usually get a decision:

  • by the end of the next working day after your appointment, if your appointment is on a weekday
  • 2 working days after your appointment, if your appointment is at the weekend or on a bank holiday

It can take longer, for example, if the Home Office needs to ask you for more information or check your details with other government departments. You’ll be told if this is the case.

If you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

You’ll usually get a decision:

  • by the end of the next working day if you finish uploading your documents on a weekday
  • 2 working days after you finish uploading your documents if you upload them on a weekend or a bank holiday

It can take longer, for example, if the Home Office needs to ask you for more information or check your details with other government departments. You’ll be told if this is the case.

Applying with family members

For each family member applying with you, you’ll need to pay an additional:

  • £500, to get a decision within 5 working days

  • £1,000, to get a decision by the end of the next working day

Every family member will need to pay for a faster decision. You’ll get a decision for everyone at the same time.

If any of your family members need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken in person, a decision may take longer.

After you’ve applied

You’ll get a letter or email telling you the Home Office has made a decision on your application. It will tell you what you need to do next.

Check your email’s spam folder if you’re having problems getting messages from the Home Office.

When you might wait longer for a decision

You might wait longer for a decision if you need to provide more information. You’ll be told how and when to provide it.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Study in the UK on a Student visa

  1. Step 1 Check if this visa is right for you

    You can apply for a Student visa if you’re 16 or over and want to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

    1. Check what you can and cannot do on this visa
    2. Check what courses you can study on this visa
    3. Check if you can bring your partner or children ('dependants') with you

    If you're under 18 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

    1. Check which visas you're eligible for

  2. Step 2 Prepare the evidence you need

    1. Check what documents you can use as evidence
    2. Prove your knowledge of the English language
    3. Check if you need a tuberculosis (TB) test

    If you're doing a masters degree or above, you may need to apply for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

    1. Check if you need to apply for ATAS

  3. Step 3 Apply from outside the UK

    1. Apply from outside the UK £490

    You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

    You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

    1. Find out if you can pay more to get a faster decision

  4. or Apply from inside the UK

    1. Apply to extend if you're already in the UK on Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) visa) £490
    2. Apply to switch to this visa if you're already in the UK £490

    You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

    You'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

    1. You are currently viewing: You may be able to pay more to get a faster decision you’ll be told if you can when you apply

  5. Step 4 Get access to your eVisa

    If your application is successful, you'll get an eVisa. This is an online record of your immigration status.

    1. Get access to your eVisa by setting up a UKVI account.

    You’ll need to link your travel document to your UKVI account. This should be the travel document you use to come to the UK.

    1. You may have to prove your immigration status when you travel to the UK

  6. Step 5 Check what you can bring into the UK with you

    1. Check what you can bring in your hand luggage
    2. Check what to do if you're bringing cash with you
    3. Check what goods you can bring with you
    4. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  7. Step 6 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border

  8. Step 7 After you arrive in the UK

    1. Find out how to get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you were told you’d get one when you applied

    You might be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK.

    1. Check if you can extend your visa

    If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to come to the UK again.

Also part of